The Michigan Advocate
Tired of national news that doesn't feel relevant to your community? Tune into The Michigan Advocate, hosted by dedicated human rights champion Joanna Whaley, for essential stories about justice and civil liberties in the Great Lakes State. Joanna provides a critical look at local human rights struggles and triumphs, revealing how major national policies and legal decisions regarding voting rights, environmental justice, and workers' rights directly impact Michigan’s neighborhoods and communities, making this the essential podcast for anyone who believes that all rights are local. This show is previously known as "The Joanna Whaley Podcast"
Episodes
It's that time of year again; the twinkling lights, the festive eggnog, and the inevitable moment when Aunt Karen brings up the latest drama in Lansing, or Uncle Rick starts arguing about the Detroit Lions’ coaching strategy, which, let's be honest, feels just as politically charged. This year, we're giving you the ultimate Holiday Hot Takes Survival Guide. Whether you're heading back to Traverse C...
This episode originally aired in May of 2025
Today on the show, we listen to a panel discussion that took place at Gracepointe Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Gracepointe is Joanna's home church, which she attends online. In this discussion, the panel explores the tension between patriotism and faith, as well as how to be politically active as a progressive Christian.
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Are we living in a two-tiered economy? The wealth of the few continues to soar, while the struggle for the majority, the working class, the middle class, gets harder every year.
On today's show, we cut through the corporate spin and the political jargon to bring you the truth about income inequality in the Great Lakes State and beyond.
Join us as we talk to the real leaders on the ground: the bold community organiz...
In this episode, we explore how Donald Trumps charged language and polarizing narratives emanating from the top level of government will trickle down, poisoning everything from city council meetings and school board debates to neighborhood discourse. Discover the real-world impact when heated, distant battles become volatile, close-to-home conflicts, threatening the collegiality and reasoned debate necessary for effec...
Michigan is the guardian of 21% of the world’s surface fresh water. Now, a thirsty new industry is knocking at the door. The Michigan Advocate explores the rapid expansion of A.I. data centers across the state.
While tech giants promise innovation, communities are left grappling with noise pollution, land disputes, and unprecedented demands on our precious water and energy resources. In this episode we weigh the true p...
Today, we look beyond the sensational headlines of the newly unsealed Jeffrey Epstein documents to confront a more pressing local danger: the weaponization of denialism. We explore how the refusal to accept established facts is deepening the political divide right here in our communities, transforming national conspiracies into local wedges between neighbors. Join us as we dissect the mechanism behind this polarizatio...
Today on the show, we discuss how important it is to lead when it all hits the fan. Stepping up to lead when things are fun and cute is needed, but can you step up when it's all going wrong?
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Today on the show, Joanna discusses the ways in which we operate when something is bigger than one person. We all have a mode of operation in large settings or in movements. Today, Joanna discusses her evolution of self in the whole picture.
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Today, Joanna shares some major news. She is running for the Michigan House of Representatives!! Joanna shares the journey from LGBTQ+ rights advocacy to running for office. In this difficult time in America and in Michigan, she is running to get the government to lead and not hate.
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Today on the show, Joanna discussed lessons learned in the last year. As she celebrates her birthday, she shares ideas of loving more and how difficult lessons have shaped who she is today.
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EPISODE ORIGINALLY AIRED: March 2nd, 2025
The concept of "freedom" has become a battleground, often weaponized by voices of bigotry and a narrow, Christian heteronormative worldview. Today, we delve into this complex issue, unpacking how this appropriation impacts queer individuals of faith. Join us as we explore navigating this challenging landscape, finding strength in our intersectional identities, and rec...
Today on the show, we discuss the epidemic of school shootings in America. The ability of lawmakers to do nothing on this topic is mind-numbingly ridiculous, and we need to demand our leaders do more, and do it now. Joanna shares her thoughts on how to go after this problem.
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Today we discuss the tensions of church being a business, when Jesus turned over tables in the temple. Join me for a talk about how to navigate this tension in a world where costs are rising and our churches ask for more. Also we have a a snip from one our favorite shows "Queer Theology Podcast".
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MERCH FROM THE HOST: https://www.joann...
Today on the show a special guest, Emme Zanotti who is the Senior Director of Movement Building & Political Affairs at Equality Michigan, joins the show to talk all things LGBTQ rights in the state of Michigan. She brings wisdom and care to the community and is making Michigan a safe place in the face of christian nationalist ideas becoming common place.
Connect with Equality Michigan: https://equalitymi.org/
SUPPO...
Today on the show Joanna discusses the rising costs of going back to school and how the State of Michigan can't pass a school budget. Plus other topics form around town.
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Today on the show we have a discussion with a City Council Canidate for Trenton, MI. Celina Peters is a passionate and strong local leader who cares to see her community thrive. Listen as we discuss how to lead well at the local level.
Support Celina's Campaign here > https://secure.actblue.com/donate/celina-for-trenton
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Today on the show, Joanna discussed how to navigate the "Old Boys Club" and how to use passion to push back against it.
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Today on the show Joanna discusses the big beautiful bill and how to look at it from a liberation theological lens.
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Today on the podcast, we interview Brian Kelly, president of the EPA Workers Union in the Great Lakes Region. We discuss the impact of the Trump administration on mental health, focusing on workers caught in the decline of DEI initiatives and how we can better support marginalized communities who strive to serve our local areas.
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Today on the podcast, we hear a message from Joanna that she gave at a church in Chelsea, Michigan. Today's message is about the Lord's Prayer and how patriarchal systems have entangled us in flawed systems of gender binary.
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